Nightlife

1. Aiza ny bar tsara indrindra?

   Ai-za ny bar tsa-ra in-drin-dra?

   Where is the best bar?

   Usage

   Looking for the best nightlife spots

   Grammar Note

   "Tsara indrindra" = the best (superlative). "Indrindra" means "most/especially" and forms superlatives.

2. Biera roa azafady

   Bi-e-ra ro-a a-za-fa-dy

   Two beers please

   Usage

   Ordering beers at a bar or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Madagascar's iconic beer is "Three Horses Beer (THB)." "Biera" is a loanword from the French "bière", and the numeral (roa) follows the noun.

3. Ohatrinona ny sarany fidirana?

   O-ha-tri-no-na ny sa-ra-ny fi-di-ra-na?

   How much is the entry fee?

   Usage

   Checking entry fee at a club or event venue

   Grammar Note

   "Ohatrinona" asks a price ("manao ahoana" is the greeting "how are you"). "Sarany" is a fee and "fidirana" is entering. Antananarivo has a vibrant nightlife scene.

4. Mandihy tsara ianao!

   Man-di-hy tsa-ra ia-nao!

   You dance beautifully!

   Usage

   A compliment on the dance floor

   Grammar Note

   "Mandihy" (root dihy "dance") is the verb "to dance". "Salegy," a traditional Malagasy music genre, is popular for dancing.

5. Miaraka mandeha ve isika?

   Mia-ra-ka man-de-ha ve i-si-ka?

   Shall we go together?

   Usage

   Inviting someone to move to the next place together

   Grammar Note

   Using "isika" (inclusive we) naturally includes the listener in the invitation. "Ve" marks a question.

6. Amin'ny firy no mikatona?

   A-min'ny fi-ry no mi-ka-to-na?

   What time does it close?

   Usage

   Asking about closing time

   Grammar Note

   Clock time is asked with "amin'ny firy" ("at what time"). mikatona is "to be closed" (as of a door) and is also used for a shop closing.

7. Salegy ve sa hira vazaha?

   Sa-le-gy ve sa hi-ra va-za-ha?

   Do you play salegy or Western music?

   Usage

   Asking about the music style at a bar or club

   Grammar Note

   "Vazaha" means foreigner/foreign. "Salegy" is a traditional music genre originating from the Sakalava people of northwest Madagascar.

8. Toaka gasy azafady

   Toa-ka ga-sy a-za-fa-dy

   Local rum please

   Usage

   When trying local Malagasy alcohol

   Grammar Note

   "Toaka gasy" is a traditional distilled spirit made from sugarcane. It's very strong — best to try a small amount first.

9. Ho ela velona!

   Ho e-la ve-lo-na!

   Let's toast!

   Usage

   As a toast before drinking

   Grammar Note

   "Ela velona" is a set phrase meaning "living long"; with the optative ho in front it becomes the toast. "Mifampiantso" means "to call each other" and is not a toast. "Ho an'i Madagasikara!" (For Madagascar!) is also used as a toast.

10. Tena nahafinaritra ity alina ity

    Te-na na-ha-fi-na-rit-ra i-ty a-li-na i-ty

    Tonight was really fun

    Usage

    Expressing how much fun you had at the end of the night

    Grammar Note

    "Nahafinaritra" is the past form of "finaritra" (happy/enjoyable). "Ity...ity" is a demonstrative frame meaning "this."

Browse all TravelPhrases languages